Overview

Job description

About Us

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy and has the aim of making the UK the safest place to live and work online.

Job Description

As a Cyber Security Consultant, you will play a pivotal role in delivering expert cyber consultancy to critical systems and major projects across government and the wider public sector. You will lead and support large-scale interventions that enhance cyber resilience at a national level, ensuring that the UK’s most vital services are protected against evolving threats. Establishing strong partnerships with departments and agencies is key to driving meaningful outcomes. You’ll collaborate closely with teams across the NCSC, including technical specialists and incident response teams, to ensure a joined-up and effective approach.

What will the successful candidate be doing:

• Protecting critical systems and shaping the UK’s cyber resilience by providing expert advice to senior stakeholders and embedding robust security measures from the start of major projects.
• Working across government and sector boundaries to coordinate and lead efforts that bring together internal and external stakeholders to tackle large-scale cyber challenges.
• Drawing on the full range of NCSC services, offering a blend of technical expertise, incident response support, and strategic guidance to meet customer needs.
• Representing the NCSC at forums and events, influencing national cyber policy and championing best-practice across sectors.
• Using customer insights to refine and enhance delivery, ensuring interventions are data-driven, relevant and impactful.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. You’ll join a politically astute, high-performing group of cyber security consultants from a variety of backgrounds, where your ideas will be welcomed and your impact recognised. Hybrid working is well embedded, and you will be expected to travel to London, Cheltenham, and customer sites as needed.

Person Specification

We’re seeking a passionate and skilled professional to join our team. Previous experience in cybersecurity, consultancy, or policy, is required, or you must be able to demonstrate how you’ll develop these skills and explain why you want to work as a Cyber Consultant in the Government Team.

The successful applicant will need to have:

• Proven experience in preparing and coordinating briefings for ministers and senior officials, ensuring that complex information is communicated clearly and effectively at the highest levels. Strong communication skills and the ability to work successfully with a wide variety of stakeholders are required.
• Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations, maintaining focus and delivering results when it matters most. Experience working with organisations across diverse sectors and navigating different cultures and priorities.
• Strong skills in risk management and project oversight, ensuring that objectives are met while potential challenges are identified and addressed proactively.

GCHQ Competencies

The NCSC will assess you against competencies used by the UK Intelligence Community. These competencies are based closely on the Civil Service Behaviours. The Level 3 competencies you’ll be assessed against are:

• Driving Innovation and Change (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Changing and Improving)
• Communicating and Influencing (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Communicating and Influencing)
• Working Collaboratively (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Working Together)
• Making Effective Decisions (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Making Effective Decisions)
• Delivering Outcomes (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Delivering at Pace)

Benefits and Rewards

At NCSC and GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment that’s designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. We are committed to helping you fulfil your potential with comprehensive training and development opportunities. You’ll receive a starting salary of £44,044 and other benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years, plus 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
• Flexible working options
• Employee performance recognition schemes
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site facilities such as gym, restaurant and coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• Excellent Civil Service pension

Equal Opportunities

We value diversity and inclusion as critical to our mission. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities and neurodivergent conditions. We encourage applications from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

Disability Confident

GCHQ is a Disability Confident Leader. We aim to ensure a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet essential minimum criteria are offered an interview where practical. The minimum criteria are: experience working with external stakeholders; effective written and verbal communication; ability to explain technical issues and collaborate with varied teams. Reasonable adjustments available during recruitment; see our website for details.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and merit-based. Stages include:

• Online Application
• Application sift
• Interview
• Conditional offer of employment if successful

Note: you must pass each stage to progress. The process may take around 6–9 months including vetting; consider continuing in current employment until you have a final offer.

Before You Apply

To work at the NCSC, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria. This role requires Developed Vetting (DV). Find out more about the vetting process.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy; you’ll need to declare any previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

For security, consider using a separate email address for your application and avoid identifying details in your email address. The role is based in Manchester, so please live within a commutable distance; relocation is not offered.

Please launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, wait to visit the UK to apply. Do not discuss your application with anyone outside your close circle.

The closing date for this role is: 17/09/25 at 23:55.

Right to Withdraw Statement:

We may bring forward the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. Submit your application early to avoid disappointment.